RRR_Summer 2008_8.pdf - Theodore Roosevelt Conservation ...

Behind the scenes...
The less glamorous side of television: TRCP’s
Life in the Open host Ken Barrett does the dirty
work at the dock.
Sweet and Sour Striper
INGREDIENTS
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• about 10 large or 15 medium shallots -
trim, leave root end intact, and quarter lengthwise
• 1 1/2 cups dry red wine
• 1 cup white balsamic vinegar
• 2/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 bay leaf
• 8 (6- to 7-oz) pieces striped bass fillet (1/2 inch thick), skinned
• Chopped fennel fronds for garnish
PREPARATION
1. Heat 1/4 cup oil in a 12- to 13-inch heavy skillet over moderately high
heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté shallots, stirring occasionally,
until browned and tender, roughly 8 minutes.
2. Remove shallots from heat and add wine, vinegar, water, sugar, raisins,
1 1/4 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and bay leaf, then simmer,
stirring occasionally, until shallots are very tender and liquid is thick and
syrupy, roughly 40 to 45 minutes. (If the liquid is reduced before the
shallots are tender, add a bit of water and continue to simmer.)*
3. Pat the fish dry, then sprinkle with remaining salt and 1/4 teaspoon
pepper. Fold fillets in half, skinned side in.
4. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high
heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté 4 folded fillets, turning over
once, until deep golden, about 4 to 6 minutes total. Put cooked fish (still
folded) on top of sauce in heavy skillet. Wipe out nonstick skillet and
sauté remaining fillets in remaining oil in same manner, transferring to
sauce. Cook, partially covered, over moderate heat until fish is just cooked
through, 2 to 3 minutes.
5. Garnish with fennel fronds.
*The sauce can be made one day ahead and cooled completely, then chilled
and covered. Reheat over moderate heat before cooking fish.
We need you ...
and your friends.
T.R.’s conservation legacy and the example he set have given
Americans the hunting and fishing opportunities that lie at the
heart of our national outdoor heritage. You can set an example
by continuing your support for the TRCP and asking your
friends to become Rough Riders, too. For more information,
please contact Cary Ridder, director of development, at
202.654.4624 or cridder@trcp.org.
Visit www.trcp.org to join the TRCP today.
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership • P.O. Box 14420 • Washington, DC 20044 • 877-770-8722 • www.trcp.org